ALAN TATE is due a slice of luck. It’s been a rough couple of years for the Aberdeen loan recruit since he broke a leg in a bizarre incident in 2011.

The Swansea stopper was a passenger in a golf buggy when it swerved into a tree, shattering the leg and wrecking his first season for the Swans in the Premiership.

Tate – who played in all four English divisions in an incredible decade with the South Wales side – battled back to fitness but struggled to nail down a regular role in Michael Laudrup’s team and spent time on loan at Yeovil. Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes teed up a six-month loan move and Tate, 31, jumped at the chance to pitch up at Pittodrie and drive the Dons to league and cup glory.

He said: “The golf buggy incident at Swansea was bad luck. We had just come up to the Premier League and I’d played the first game and in the League Cup and it went well. It was the international break and the players went for a game of golf in the morning and we were going to go out together at night.

“I was in the buggy with my mate and had hit my tee shot 300 yards and straight. My mate had gone right with his shot, though, and when he turned the buggy to go towards his ball it spun and we found ourselves heading straight for a tree.

“We had no option but to jump out but I got caught between the buggy and the tree and snapped my leg.”

Tate didn’t need much sweetening to head north with Aberdeen third in the Premiership and facing a League Cup semi with St Johnstone next month.

The experienced defender – who has made more than 300 appearances for the Swans and is due a testimonial next year – is dreaming of lifting silverware.

He said: “I’ve played in the Championship and Leagues One and Two so there was the lure of trying something different.

“There’s the semi-final to look forward to and finishing near the top of the table really appeals to me.

“The manager told me about the big games coming up and he wants me to be part of them. It does sway you because you want to be involved in those kind of matches and hopefully I can play my part in the club winning a trophy.

“I got a phone call from the chief scout asking me what my situation was at Swansea and if I fancied the loan move.

“I said I would be interested and that’s when the manager rang me and I became even more interested.

“Derek McInnes sold the club to me with his idea on how he wanted to play. For the past 10 days I’ve been waiting for the window to open so I could come here.”

Durham-born Tate might not have played in Scotland but he knows exactly what to expect after being schooled by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

The centre-back, who can also slot in at full-back, heard all about Fergie’s glory years at Pittodrie and he swatted up on the club’s glorious past before the move.

He said: “I know the history of the club from when Sir Alex was manager and I’ve seen the Real Madrid game. I’ve also watched a couple of games on telly.

“I’ve done my research and know about the fanbase which is decent. It’s a good sized city and Scottish football will be a new challenge for me.

“I still speak with Sir Alex. He’s not someone I have a phone conversation with but we’ve always spoken when I’ve gone to Old Trafford.

“I didn’t ask him about Aberdeen but I’m sure he will know I’m up here now and I’m sure I will see him at some point.”

Tate also revealed the Dons received a ringing endorsement from an unlikely source – New Firm rival John Rankin.

The Dundee United ace sung Aberdeen’s praises, although he might have had something different to say if the call had been made after the Dons’ Ne’erday victory in the thriller on Tayside.

Tate said: “I spoke with John on Sunday and he told me nothing but good things about the club. My mind was made up by then but he reinforced what I thought. I speak with Ranks and I go to see Darren Fletcher, who I’ve known since I was 14. Danny Pugh at Leeds was another who came through at United when I was there.”

Tate is in line for a debut at Kilmarnock tomorrow as the Dons look to maintain their impressive run of form after picking up five wins in their last six.

He added: “I prefer to let other people make their mind up about me. Hopefully I can bring experience here and the fans will see a committed player.”

Tate’s first task will be to keep Killie hitman Kris Boyd quiet.

Dons No.2 Tony Docherty said: “Kris is always a danger. He can create goals out of nothing, he’s a real threat.

“But it’s not just about him, they have good players and we’ll have to be at our best to win.”